North Crest trail via Ojo Orno

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Hike Statistics

Nearby City / Locale: Placitas
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Total Length of Hike: 10.8
Max to Min Elevation: 4332 ft
* Total Ascent / Descent: 4840 / 837 ft Estimate based on track data

Logistics: One Way
Exposure Type: Mixed sun/shade
Seasons : Summer
"Wow" Factor: Sandia Crest views
Authors last hiked: 2025-10-01

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TRAIL TIPS!

The Ojo del Orno is a difficult route to get you up to the North Sandia Crest trail. It's easy to slip on smaller rocks as you ascend, so use cation as you climb. The advantage of using the OjO is that it cuts off about 2.5 miles from the beginning of the North Crest trail, making the hike to the upper tramway terminal a bit shorter. Suggest wearing long sleeve shirt and long leg hiking pants due to a great deal of bush-wacking encountered on the NorthCrest trail.

About this hike:

This hike starts just west of town from Placitas, NM and uses the Ojo del Orno trail to connect to the North Sandia Crest trail, which leads to the upper Sandia Peak tramway terminal. An optional hike up to the Kiwanis cabin near Sandia Peak is included.

Related Hike Information REFERENCES: List of All Site Book References RELATED HIKES
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